mattn2489
Level 1 (8 points)
Notebooks

Q: What OS can I use on my 2007 MacBook 3.1 currently on OS X 10.5.8?

Hi all,

 

First post in the apple community as I'm currently messing with my first MacBook. Recently picked up a Macbook 3.1 A1181 13" 2007 model. It is in excellent condition and runs great, but I am purchasing a new battery for it as the other one was cooked. The lady I purchased it from had not hardly touched the thing in two years, so I didn't know what to expect, but it's still a very nice machine.

 

The reason for my question is that I am trying to figure exactly what my next move should be to be able to bring the OS on the computer up to speed. It currently has 10.5.8 and thus I have pretty well maxed out any programs I have on it (Safari, iTunes, etc.). I started to go ahead and just purchase the Snow Leopard upgrade to 10.6 to get the Mac App Store because that seemed like the best path I could find in my research. However, I figured I would ask the question on here to hopefully get the best input for my specific situation.

 

What steps should I take to get my MacBook as updated as possible? It has Intel Core 2 Duo and currently only has 1 GB RAM, so I plan to purchase the upgrade to bring it to 4 GB to better accommodate updates. I'm basically seeking advice all around because as I said, this is my first MacBook and I can already see how well these machines can run, but I just need a little guidance to get things to a better place for me. Any advice on the upgrade process, how far up I can go with my OS, and also any recommendations for the memory upgrades (what and where to buy) would be greatly appreciated!

 

Thanks,

Matt

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on May 18, 2016 8:36 PM

by OGELTHORPE,Solvedanswer
OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE
Level 9 (52,023 points)
Mac OS X
A:

I assume that you are getting the Snow Leopard OSX (10.6.3) disk.  When you have installed Snow Leopard, then run the Snow Leopard combo update which will give you the latest version of Snow Leopard and access to the App store:

 

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?locale=en_US

 

The newest OSX that is compatible with a model identifier 3,1 Macbook is Lion.  That is available in the Apple ONLINE store:

 

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion

 

Note that installing Lion will have an impact on some of your applications:

 

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6841

 

Your model Macbook can accept up to 6 GB RAM.  The best sources of Mac compatible RAM are OWC and Crucial.

 

Ciao.

Posted on May 19, 2016 5:42 AM

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mattn2489

Q: What OS can I use on my 2007 MacBook 3.1 currently on OS X 10.5.8?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,Solvedanswer

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 19, 2016 5:42 AM in response to mattn2489
    Level 9 (52,023 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 19, 2016 5:42 AM in response to mattn2489

    I assume that you are getting the Snow Leopard OSX (10.6.3) disk.  When you have installed Snow Leopard, then run the Snow Leopard combo update which will give you the latest version of Snow Leopard and access to the App store:

     

    https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?locale=en_US

     

    The newest OSX that is compatible with a model identifier 3,1 Macbook is Lion.  That is available in the Apple ONLINE store:

     

    http://www.apple.com/shop/product/D6106Z/A/os-x-lion

     

    Note that installing Lion will have an impact on some of your applications:

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6841

     

    Your model Macbook can accept up to 6 GB RAM.  The best sources of Mac compatible RAM are OWC and Crucial.

     

    Ciao.

  • by mattn2489,

    mattn2489 mattn2489 May 19, 2016 7:23 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    May 19, 2016 7:23 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thanks for the response. This is most of the information I was looking for. Regarding the upgrade from Snow Leopard to Lion once I bring my OS to Snow Leopard 10.6.8, I'm not sure what effect the compatibility issues might have on me as, like I said, I'm really just starting from scratch on this one. The computer is a 2007 with Intel, not Power PC. Anything that might have compatibility issues from the Rosetta drop-off likely won't be noticeable or an issue to me because I haven't used any of them anyways. I've got a few basic purposes I'm looking to use this MacBook for which mainly revolve around browsing, music, and maybe some information storage on spreadsheets and any other productivity/leisure apps I might put on from the App Store. If taking my level of MacBook from Snow Leopard 10.6.8 to Lion isn't going to really benefit me much at all, then I don't have a problem sticking with Snow Leopard 10.6.8 once I make that purchase and do the combo update. I'm definitely open to all ideas since I'm new to the Mac side of Apple products, so any input is appreciated.

     

    Regarding the memory upgrade, I've read some places that say I can do 6 GB (4+2), but a lot of sources say just to get 4 GB (2+2) because my level of MacBook can only really utilize 3 GB. Wasn't really sure how this would be the case, but I'm willing to go with either one just as long as they're worth it for my setup. Thanks again OGELTHORPE, please respond if you have anymore input for me!

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 19, 2016 7:48 AM in response to mattn2489
    Level 9 (52,023 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 19, 2016 7:48 AM in response to mattn2489

    What I often advise users is to partition a HDD and install separate OSXs on the respective partitions.  In other words, Snow Leopard on one partition  and Lion on the other.  Then you can use both OSXs and determine if one suits your needs better than the other.  Occasionally, there may be an important application that can run on one OSX and not on the other.  The final choice is always yours.

     

    In regards to RAM, be guided by the professionals, OWC and Crucial.  If I were in your situation, I would install 6 GB RAM.  It can only help in efficiency.  Should someone say otherwise, challenge them with documented examples what any 'potential problems' there might be.  These forums would be full of posts with complaints if there were problems, but there is an absence of such posts.

     

    Ciao.

  • by mattn2489,

    mattn2489 mattn2489 May 19, 2016 7:51 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    May 19, 2016 7:51 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Alright, thank you very much!

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE May 19, 2016 7:54 AM in response to mattn2489
    Level 9 (52,023 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 19, 2016 7:54 AM in response to mattn2489

    Good luck. 

     

    Ciao.

  • by Jamtse,

    Jamtse Jamtse May 31, 2016 2:36 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (8 points)
    May 31, 2016 2:36 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Hi Ogelthorpe,

    I have a Macbook with 10.6.8.  A computer guy (not exclusively a mac guy) told me I was not able to upgrade which is what I would need to do

    to clear up the sloth the machine has been displaying.  This is the machine info:

    Model Name:    MacBook

      Model Identifier:    MacBook2,1

      Processor Name:    Intel Core 2 Duo

      Processor Speed:    2 GHz

      Number Of Processors:    1

      Total Number Of Cores:    2

      L2 Cache:    4 MB

      Memory:    4 GB

      Bus Speed:    667 MHz

      Boot ROM Version:    MB21.00A5.B07

      SMC Version (system):    1.17f0

      Serial Number (system):    W8733MP0Z5V

    Can I upgrade or not, and if not WHY??

    I'm having the same issue with a perfectly good MacPro. 

    Thanks,

    j.